26th ANNUAL
MAY 9, 2026
26th Annual
US SUMO OPEN
MAY 9, 2026
Walter Pyramid @ California State University Long Beach
Tickets are on sale: February 23, 2026
For 26 years straight, the largest sumo tournament in North America.
Many sumo heroes have competed in the US Sumo Open, and many have been forged there. Pro Sumo wrestlers from elite divisions and/or with divisional champion titles have won over 30 medals at the US Sumo Open, and conversely, young amateur talent who have won medals at the US Sumo Open have gone on to enter Pro Sumo, even reaching the top division!
You will enjoy 150 back-to-back matches, with 60 wrestlers from 13 countries, including many guys with World Sumo Champion titles or World sumo medals. Immerse in the full Japanese cultural experience with taiko drumming, Japanese cuisine, and drinks!
HIGHLIGHTS
- Special Guest: Japanese Pro Sumo Legend to be announced
- FIVE (5) World Sumo Champions expected to compete — among a field of 60!
- Don’t miss the Main Event (1 pm – 4 pm) featuring top sumo wrestlers, and the Openweight competition where skill and strategy can overcome size!
- Prelim matches begin at 11 am, qualifying for the main event.
- Catch 5 hours of non-stop sumo matches!
- Top Sumo Champions expected from all over the world!
- Savor Japanese food and beverages, while you watch the competition!
- Enjoy Japanese Taiko drumming.
- The venue has the largest Jumbotron (among all universities) in the United States! Catch instant replays.
ATHLETE REGISTRATION
Entry forms are available from January 12, 2026. The deadline to enter is April 4, 2026.
OFFICIAL HOTEL
Hotel Current is a 5-minute drive from the venue, with heated pool, free WiFi, free parking, microwave, fridge. BOOK YOUR ROOM today for the discounted US Sumo Open rate of $149 (+tax), double-occupancy OK.
Location: 5325 E. Pacific Coast Highway Long Beach, CA 90804
SPONSORS
US SUMO OPEN BACKGROUND
As the largest and longest-running, annual sumo competition worldwide, outside of Japan, the US Sumo Open has been the first to bring Pro Sumo Grand Champions as special guests, the first to pioneer women’s matches in American tournaments, the first to feature multiple World Sumo Champions in a single event, and the first to include former top-ranked Pro Sumo wrestlers in competition!
Since 2001, the annual US Sumo Open has been a hallmark event, setting milestones in international sumo’s growth, including multiple national TV broadcasts on Universal Sports Network. We’re proud to be pioneers in developing this ancient martial art in the United States.
The competition level is also spectacular, with over 953 international athletes from 42 countries who have wrestled in 2,882 matches, in the first 25 years. Most of these competitors have been National or World Sumo Champions. This is the only sumo event in North America where you can catch this caliber of international sumo, every year.